2026 Best Value Film Studies Schools in the Southeast Region
[Film Studies](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/film-video-and-photographic-arts/film-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong film studies education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 44 schools to find the best return on investment for film studies students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Film Studies Schools in the Southeast Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the film studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Film Studies Schools
For return on investment in film studies, no school beat University Of Georgia this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $21,792. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $53,546. Set against $21,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northern Virginia Community College earned it the #2 place for film studies. Set in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,891, compared with $12,410 for out-of-state students. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $14,413 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Northern Virginia Community College generally make around $40,126. Set against $14,413 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Kentucky is a great value for students pursuing a degree in film studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,502, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $24,094. Film Studies graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $49,568 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Georgia State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value film studies schools. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,664, compared with $24,840 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,755 to complete the film studies program here. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Georgia State University generally make around $22,588. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia State University admits about 55% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Tennessee earned it the #5 place for film studies. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,812, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $22,859 in student loans. Early-career film studies graduates make about $49,826. That is a strong return on a $22,859 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Vanderbilt University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value film studies schools. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. Film Studies graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $77,997 early in their careers. Set against $13,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earned the #7 position for value in film studies this year. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public school located in the city of Wilmington. In-state tuition and fees average $7,277, compared with $24,152 for out-of-state students. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $22,052 in student loans. Early-career film studies graduates make about $22,315. Set against $22,052 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Dillard University earned the #8 position for value in film studies this year. Dillard University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Orleans. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,734. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $33,177. Film Studies graduates of Dillard University earn a median of $37,305 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Dillard University admits about 42% of applicants.
Regent University came in at #9 for value in film studies this year. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,650. Students borrow a median of $29,451 to complete the film studies program here. Early-career film studies graduates make about $44,205. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Regent University admits about 38% of applicants.
Emory University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value film studies schools. Located in the city of Atlanta, Emory University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,280. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $19,431 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Emory University generally make around $67,840. Set against $19,431 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Oglethorpe University earned the #11 position for value in film studies this year. Oglethorpe University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Atlanta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,590. Students borrow a median of $26,800 to complete the film studies program here. Film Studies graduates of Oglethorpe University earn a median of $34,113 early in their careers. Set against $26,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Carolina Columbia earned the #12 position for value in film studies this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,688, with out-of-state students paying around $36,298. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $25,750 in student loans. Film Studies graduates of University Of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of $23,686 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Lipscomb University landed the #13 spot for film studies value this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,572. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete the film studies program here. Early-career film studies graduates make about $48,949. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lipscomb University admits about 68% of applicants.
Florida Southern College placed #14 among the best values for film studies. Located in the city of Lakeland, Florida Southern College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,040. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $25,357 in student loans. Early-career film studies graduates make about $48,665. That is a strong return on a $25,357 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Belmont University placed #15 among the best values for film studies. Located in the city of Nashville, Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,540. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $20,500. Film Studies graduates of Belmont University earn a median of $49,699 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Full Sail University placed #16 among the best values for film studies. Full Sail University is a very large private for-profit school located in the suburb of Winter Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,906. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $27,343. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Full Sail University generally make around $24,058. Set against $27,343 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Tampa came in at #17 for value in film studies this year. Set in the city of Tampa, The University Of Tampa is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,408. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the film studies program here. Early-career film studies graduates make about $26,641. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Tampa admits about 40% of applicants.
Morehouse College earned the #18 position for value in film studies this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Morehouse College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,893. Students borrow a median of $26,199 to complete the film studies program here. Film Studies graduates of Morehouse College earn a median of $32,093 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Morehouse College admits about 44% of applicants.
University Of Miami earned the #19 position for value in film studies this year. Set in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,616. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $18,500. Film Studies graduates of University Of Miami earn a median of $35,485 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. Roughly 19% of applicants are accepted.
Savannah College Of Art And Design earned the #20 position for value in film studies this year. Located in the city of Savannah, Savannah College Of Art And Design is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $41,630. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Savannah College Of Art And Design generally make around $30,735. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 44 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
